An area detector used in a two-dimensional system is used as a point detector in Bragg-Brentano and other geometries by providing the area detector with a mask the limits the area through which X-rays can enter the detector. Secondary X-ray optics and a monochromator that are part of the diffractometer geometry are attached to the area detector mask to allow a fast and easy switch between the two-dimensional detector mode and the point detector mode. A concave detector mask is used with a spherical detector in order to reduce the secondary beam path and increase detector efficiency and the opening in the detector mask can be offset from the mask center to achieve high 2θ angle measurements. Single channel bypath electronics are used to disregard the dimensional position of each X-ray count to increase the efficiency and speed of the system.